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“I really do not think I am,” she protested. “No one has ever called me trouble in my life. If anyone is likely to court trouble it is you. Did you not partake in a duel only last year? And the year before that, were you not injured in a fight and spent the Season convalescing in the country?”
He shot her a look. “Do not believe everything you hear.”
“All I am saying is that if anyone is going to get us in trouble it is most certainly not me.”
“You are trouble,” he repeated. “And I had an—”
“If you say instinct again...”
“I had a feeling.”
She snorted but cut the sound short when a pathetic yelp pierced the air and Demeter’s heart gave a kick. A dog. In pain.
“Did you hear that?” She didn’t wait for his response before turning on her heel.
“Demeter!”
She hurried toward the source of the sound and stilled at the entrance to a dark alleyway where a man jeered and yelled obscenities. He looked to be part of the group that had come into the inn, his build stocky and covered in grime. In front of him, a boy cowered, and it took a moment for Demeter to realize he was shielding the dog. The man threw a stone and it hit the boy’s arm.
“Just leave us alone. He didn’t mean harm,” the boy whimpered.
He could not be more than twelve and disgust rose up her face in the form of blazing hot heat. How could a grown man behave so to a mere child?
“The mongrel tried to bite me,” the man spat. “He should be killed.”
“He was scared. You tried to kick him.”
“Demeter.” Blake came to a stop beside her. “Oh hell,” he uttered when he observed the situation.
“We have to do something,” she hissed.
“Told you I had a feeling.”
***
For a quiet woman, Demeter certainly courted trouble. He observed the man’s muscular build. The rumors of duels and convalescing after an injury weren’t true but he’d fought when necessary in his youth. These days, less so. He glanced at the boy and the whining dog, releasing a long sigh.
By the looks of it, he was about to find out if he could still fight.
Striding forward, he put himself in between the boy and the man. “May I suggest you cease bothering this child?”
“The damned dog tried to bite me.” He looked him over and took a step closer. “What business is it of yours anyway?”
“You are picking a fight with a boy,” Blake replied tightly. “Achild. Surely you have better things to do with your time?”
“That mutt needs teaching a lesson.”
“He was scared,” the boy cried, still huddled behind him. “He doesn’t normally bite.”
Demeter moved closer too, effectively shielding both boy and animal.
And giving him even more reason to win this argument.
“Come, have a drink and let the boy go.” Blake gestured with both hands open. “It’s not worth the trouble.”
“Scram,” the man spat. “This is nothing to do with you.” He bent and picked up another loose stone, this time the size of a small apple. If he threw that he’d do real damage to the mutt, let alone the boy. Or Demeter.
Heat surged through him, making his muscles tight. He was not about to let that happen.
